Consent conditions & advice notes

Owner-builders have an obligation to understand the building consent process and ensure the consent documents are used during the build.

Other parties also have responsibilities to check the consented documentation, including

  • The agent – to make sure the document set is complete and as expected
  • The engineer – before carrying out construction monitoring or engineering approvals
  • The licensed building practitioner (LBP) builder - to ensure they are building to the approved plans, engineering approval, and supporting documents.

Conditions are included on your consent when required under the Building Act to ensure the work complies with legislation – for example

  • s67(2) Waivers or modifications to all or part of a building code clause
  • s73 natural hazards such as erosion or flooding, where a building consent may be granted if the BCA is satisfied the building work won’t worsen the land or other property
  • s75(2) Building on 2 or more allotments to ensure the allotments can’t be sold separately
  • s90 Inspections by building consent authorities
  • s113(2) Buildings with specified intended life, where the building must be removed, altered or demolished on or before the end of the specified life.

Advice notes

Advice notes provide additional information needed to support your project – e.g.

  • building location certificate
  • as-built truss design
  • pressure test
  • electrical certificate.

When required, the relevant authority must also be notified (e.g. LINZ, Environment Canterbury).

It’s important that you read and understand all conditions, advice notes, and endorsements before you start building. If anything is unclear, please contact us to discuss.

Concerns over consent decision

If you have feedback, queries, concerns or complaints about a decision made during the consenting process, please see our information on providing feedback.

This outlines

  • our council’s building consent authority complaint process, and
  • the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) determinations process if required.